Chowder House reopens after settling with state

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Chowder House has reopened for business after settling its overdue tax bill with the state Department of Revenue.

STEVE DeCOSTA

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Chowder House has reopened for business after settling its overdue tax bill with the state Department of Revenue.

The seafood-serving institution, which has been in operation for almost 35 years, was closed last Tuesday when the DOR seized the property and changed the locks, saying the restaurant owed $58,826 in meals and withholding taxes dating back to 2011.

Owner Mark Koran said he quickly squared with the DOR and was open for business at 4 p.m. Thursday.

"We're good to go," Koran said. "We will continue to be here. We're happy to be serving the community."

The DOR confirmed the settlement.

"The seizure on the Mattapoisett Chowder House was released on March 27 when the taxpayer entered in an agreement with the Department of Revenue," DOR spokesman Maryann Merigan said in a statement.

Disappointed diners last week were confronted by a bright orange sign reading "Seized," while those who ventured to the chowder house Monday were greeted by a much friendlier blackboard proclaiming "Welcome to MCH!!"

Founder Robert Clarkson opened the Chowder House in a former gas station near the Cathay Temple in 1979. Koran bought the restaurant in 1989 and moved it to its current location, about a mile away, in 2004.

Asked for the recipe for the restaurant's longevity, Koran cited consistency and diversity.

"We're on the seashore, so we serve the freshest seafood," he said. "To get us through the winter, we've diversified," taking advantage of a wood-fired oven to create a line of pizzas.

"We can compete with anybody," Koran said, praising the work of chef Mike Andrews, who's been at the Chowder House for about two years.

"He's the best one I've ever had," Koran said. "He can make something out of nothing.

The owner said the Chowder House had recently updated its website, the first such overhaul in about a decade.